MN SF4374

Establishes an electric bus grant program in the Department of Transportation to provide financial assistance encouraging the purchase of electric buses, with an electric bus defined as a motor vehicle designed to carry more than 15 passengers that meets Minnesota's electric motor vehicle definition.

Transit providers eligible for financial assistance under Minnesota Statutes sections 174.24 or 473.388 may apply for grants using forms and procedures developed by the transportation commissioner.

Grant funds may be used only to pay the cost difference between an electric bus and a comparable nonelectric bus, purchase and install electric vehicle charging systems, or cover the department's reasonable administrative costs.

Commissioner must give preference to applications where the local electric utility commits to pay for electric vehicle charging stations intended for grant-funded electric buses.

Appropriates $20,000,000 in fiscal year 2021 from the general fund as a onetime appropriation available until December 30, 2023.